Elements Killer Tips: Wacom Bamboo Tablet

[Corey Barker]

Download Here! (http://photoshopelementsuser.com/subscriber/podcast/download.php?file=corey_wacom_bamboo.mov)

[Byron Gale]

Hoo-boy....

First of all, the video is informative (if pixellated) and interesting.

At the end, though, Corey tells us that the Newsletter is cancelled!!!

I think this was probably prepared before the Newsletter resurrection - but it's going to cause confusion, IMO.

Byron

[wormmeshi]

The end part caught me off guard too. What is going on with the Newsletter and the web site?

[Hillegas2]

The link from the forum site is the only one that mentions that the newsletter is ending. If you click on the Wacom tip from the PET main page, it does not state the ending part where Corey talks about the ending of the newsletter. So I agree that this was made before the great decision to keep the newsletter going was made.

[Teacher617]

The iTunes version of the podcast includes the piece about the newsletter going away, but it's the same ending that has been included in all of the most recent podcasts from Corey. I think he just wanted to highlight this new forum, since that's the main point of that ending piece.

At least I hope so!

Tricia

[ATR]

As Brian put it so well, informative, yet pixelated. What happened? The iTunes free subscription version has good quality, while the downloaded version from this web site has poor (pixelated) quality? Same video?

Corey Barker did devote some emphasis to the importance and details of obtaining the latest drivers. But, I have not always found obtaining those drivers as easy as suggested.

I still have Graphire 3 and for several driver updates I have had to go to an Asian Wacom site to obtain those drivers because I could not download them from the http://www.wacom.com site. Wacom gave me the Asian web site address and said that it was in the process of reversing some changes that its web people had made in the site.

It was only recently I was able to download the latest driver from that site. Still, the Primary Download yields for me a "425 Can't Open Data Connection" message. But, now the Alternate Download (listed below the Primary Download option) works for me.

Although the following was not mentioned in this video, I found it very helpful to check the "Click Sound" option in the Control Panel/Pen Tablet Properties. I found times when I was not sure if the pen was working and/or I was pressing hard enough. So that "click as you go" helped me avoid "digging a hole" in the tablet because I thought that I was not getting the desired effect and had to press harder to get it. I found out much later that those pen tips do need to be replaced with time and use.

ATR

[ATR]

Byron Gale,

Sorry, Byron for changing your name in my post.

To anyone looking in, Byron is the Brian that I mentioned.

ATR

[Byron Gale]

...Byron is the Brian...ATR,

You may just be the 1,000,000th person to do that... :p ...it's been happening my whole life!

Byron

[ATR]

I was clearing my computer and noted the following re: this episode. In case any of the web people here are interested in the details:

Pixelation Download from this web site
corey_wacom_bamboo.mov, 22 MB, run time 11:18,

whereas

iTune free subscription route good quality version
Wacom Bamboo Tablet.m4v, 60 MB, run time 11:18.

Same exact content.

The video is worth watching, but, for this one, you might want to try to get the iTunes download.

ATR

[JEGavlas]

Good video. It leaves me wondering what the difference is between the Graphire and Bamboo. I own the graphire but don't use it as much as I should. I always find my self needing the mouse to change something while in PSE5, a clear indication on not knowing how to use it.

My main question is what is the difference or advantage of the Bamboo?

[ATR]

This first link compares the Bamboo and Bamboo Fun
http://www.wacom.com/bambootablet/compare.cfm

I suspect that it has replaced Graphire (3, 4) as Wacom's entry level (lower cost) offering.
http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2007/09/wacom-bamboo-re.html

However, the name Graphire is still on the Wacom web site as Graphire Bluetooth.
http://www.wacom.com/graphire/features_benefits.cfm
http://www.wacom.com/productinfo/differences.cfm?process=y

From browsing the Internet, this Graphire Bluetooth looks like it cost about $250 US dollars.

ATR

[GaryK]

Hi Joe

The bamboo has 4 buttons as well as a scroll pad on the top of the tablet .. supposedly for less trips to the keyboard when using the pen. As far as I can tell they are fully programmable (I'm not sure if you can make a button multi key aware, as I haven't tried)
It also has a bit better resolution but the same sensitivity .. I really can't notice a difference.

ATR posted the link for the diffferences between the fun and the regular Bamboo.. if you don't need the extras, save your money.:)

Oh ... and the scroll pad thingy glows and pulses.. almost worth the price itself.:D

[NickLewis]

Gary, do you make much use of the buttons/scroll pad?

I ask because I see there's an even cheaper version called the Bamboo One, which doesn't have them, but otherwise seems to have the same capabilities.

I ask because I'm just thinking of dipping my toe in the water of a tablet, and cheaper sounds good. (£34 compared to £54 at the website I checked.)

Nick

[ATR]

Nick,

My Wacom Graphire 3 came as a Christmas gift a few Christmas holidays ago, and I still cannot break away from my regular Microsoft mouse. So, I hesitate to invest in a newer version with more bells and whistles.

Also, the mouse that comes with the Wacom pen/tablet does not seem to move as easily as the regular mouse.

As for just the Wacom pen/tablet, I suspect that practice and overcoming mouse withdrawal would expedite matters. But, as long as I have a regular mouse standing by, the transition process will be labored.

ATR

[NickLewis]

Hi ATR,

Thanks - I rather thought I'd end up still using a mouse as well, as I suspect it's easier for other work (like spreadsheets, for example). That was what was making me wonder if it was worth spending money on facilities I'd never use.

I've no idea whether a tablet can be a complete replacement for the mouse. It's not as though I only use graphic apps - I have a pretty wide set of applications on my PC, most of which, obviously, have not been designed with a tablet in mind.

Nick

[sfd301]

Seems like more of a review than a killer tip, just my opinion. Maybe paying the bills...lol.

geo

[Inspeqtor]

I was clearing my computer and noted the following re: this episode. In case any of the web people here are interested in the details:

Pixelation Download from this web site
corey_wacom_bamboo.mov, 22 MB, run time 11:18,

whereas

iTune free subscription route good quality version
Wacom Bamboo Tablet.m4v, 60 MB, run time 11:18.

Same exact content.

The video is worth watching, but, for this one, you might want to try to get the iTunes download.

ATR

ATR,

I have had iTunes on my computer for quite some time now, and I have had the Killer Tips as a subscription thru iTunes. However in the past I have mainly just downloaded the Quicktime version directly from the Killer Tips area of the subscriber area because then I know where to find the actual file on my hard drive. After reading your post, I watched the iTunes version of Bamboo Tablet was very surprised at how much better the picture quality is in the iTunes version. The iTunes version is also in wide screen format which is nice. Do you know where on the hard drive iTunes stores the videos? Thanks :)

[GaryK]

Nick

That was the "supposedly" part.:D

I don't use the tablet as much as I should, so I end up forgetting what I have them programmed as.

I THINK I have.. 2 for left and right bracket (brush size), one for alt (subtract selection), and one for spacebar (hand tool). :confused:

[ATR]

Charles,

Are you thinking in terms of saving the video from iTunes?

If so,
In the iTunes Podcast Window (from which you would watch the video)
Adobe Photoshop Elements Killer Tips
Episode XXX

Right click the Episode and select Copy. Then Paste to a place like my Documents/My Videos..... When you want to play back, I suggest OPEN WITH Quicktime.

Is that what you meant?

ATR

[GaryK]

Hey Charles

Mine are here... not sure if this is the default or I directed them here though. I think it is default as I don't think I would go this deep.;)

C:\Documents and Settings\Gary\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Podcasts

[CarolLHB]

Hi guys-

I went out and bought the Bamboo after seeing the video-and I love it (mostly).

My keys are programmed to back and forward, as well as Expose (Mac thing that shows all my windows for switching between), and Undo. Love the undo button on the tablet! Thanks Corey!

I have pretty much not used my mouse since I got it-I was a casual user before with the Graphire, but I like the feel and the sensitivity of this one enormously.

My only complaint is the scroll wheel-it's inconsistent, although I highly suspect user stupidity here:D

PS-I just went and played with the settings and I am a scrolling maniac now! Told ya it was me...

Gary-no pulsing!

[Inspeqtor]

Charles,

Are you thinking in terms of saving the video from iTunes?

If so,
In the iTunes Podcast Window (from which you would watch the video)
Adobe Photoshop Elements Killer Tips
Episode XXX

Right click the Episode and select Copy. Then Paste to a place like my Documents/My Videos..... When you want to play back, I suggest OPEN WITH Quicktime.

Is that what you meant?

ATR

Hey Charles

Mine are here... not sure if this is the default or I directed them here though. I think it is default as I don't think I would go this deep.;)

C:\Documents and Settings\Gary\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Podcasts

ATR and Gary,

You both gave me good information and I thank you :)

ATR, I did not realize you could copy from within iTunes!

Gary, My iTunes is saved in the same location, so it must be default....
well almost the same location since my name is not Gary :eek: :p

[keizern]

I just signed up last month, and now I am confused. Is the newsletter ending? Or was it going to but it was saved?

[Inspeqtor]

keizern,

No the newsletter is not ending. There was an announcement last November of the end of the Newsletter, but with high public demand, that has changed and now the newsletter and the subscribers area is going to continue :)

[GaryK]

Charles
If it doesn't say Gary, then what does it say??
I thought all computers were named after me.:D:D

Well .. I mean ... I have heard people call them the same things they call me.;)

[Inspeqtor]

Well .. I mean ... I have heard people call them the same things they call me.;)

I am assuming most people call you smart, helpful, humble... and oh yes, we can't forget about the cross dresser!! :rolleyes:

[Czar One]

I thought about purchasing a bamboo tablet a while back, but instead I decided to get the Intuos 3. I think I'm happy with my choice now. But if you're left handed you might have to disable the scroll bar function, as it gets in the way (trust me:p)

[Tom Gettys]

I just received my bamboo today as a result of Corey's fun video; pretty slick I must say, but I am curious if it will actually replace my mouse; it certainly is different!

One aspect that bugged me was the way the pen position corresponded to absolute screen positions; if you want to push the Start button the pen must be in the lower left corner of the pad, and if you want to close an app it must be in the upper right corner of the pad. That is a lot of hand motion!

In mouse mode, however, the pen operates in a relative mode instead of absolute. By lifting and moving the pen with just my fingers I can reach the entire screen without moving my hand.

Does anyone else have a preference for the mouse mode?

[Homer A]

Has anybody else had a problem with Bamboo Fun killing the healing brush and the clone stamp tool in Elements (both 6 and 7) and Photoshop CS3? Whenever I install the drivers for the tablet these functions cease working for me. I've tried installing the latest drivers but still no joy.

Homer A